American Underdog

Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Hayden Zaller, Ser'Darius Blaine, Dennis Quaid, Chance Kelly, Simeon Castille, Bruce McGill, Adam Baldwin
Directed by: Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Sport
2021

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi) struggles for years to break into the NFL and getting his shot at glory and a better life for his family.

Review:

Tim: I really enjoyed American Underdog. It might not be crafted quite well enough to be an instant sports classic, but it's a watchable, entertaining movie that tells the amazing story of Kurt Warner. I knew the broad strokes of Warner's story (working in a supermarket to Super Bowl champion) and I absolutely remember watching him play in the Greatest Show on Turf. I didn't know the specifics, especially about his family, so the film was informative as well as enjoyable. I also appreciated that the movie was PG- it was a film I was able to watch with him seven year-old son. That's always fun, to be able to share a movie experience with your child. This really is a good movie.

The story really focuses more on Warner the man than anything else. Much of the movie is dedicated to his courting and relationship with Brenda and her two kids. This is definitely interesting and while it felt a bit like a stylized, saintly look at Warner, I know the broad strokes here were true. Warner truly is an exceptional human being and I really appreciated getting to know about his story and family. These scenes are mostly good, but they don't always work. Some of the relationship drama they experience eventually feels a bit grating. We know where the story is going, but it just takes a while to get there. For some stretches of the movie, football absolutely takes a backseat. I appreciate the focus on the characters first, but I do wish there was a little more balance to it. By the time football takes the front seat of the story, I was shocked how little time was left in the movie.

The football scenes are well done and I was amazed at how much of Warner's NFL experience was covered in a relatively short amount of time. I do wish the film dedicated another 10-15 minutes here. You couldn't really make the movie longer (1 hour, 52 minutes is enough), so some of the relationship drama would need to have been cut. I get why the Erwin Brothers made this decision and I'm sure Warner appreciated that focus, but I do wish the NFL payoff was a bit more detailed. As is, it feels like the movie speeds through it. The scenes are absolutely good and among the best of the film, but I just wish we could have gotten more of them.

Zachary Levi does a really good job as Warner. Levi absolutely looks the part and bulked up for his previous superhero role, so he was definitely in physical shape to play this part. I like Levi and it's been to see his career over the years. I don't think he'll ever get recognition as a big name star, but I like him and he does good work. He was effective bringing this person to life and showing the human side to the character. He wasn't just "a football player", but a person first and foremost. I do think we often got the sanitized, idealized version of Warner, but I suppose that's okay.

I like Anna Paquin, but I don't think she was given the right tools to bring Brenda to life. I'm sure Brenda is a wonderful person and by the accounts here, a terrific mom. That doesn't always come to the front of this movie. She's the one who brings drama to Warner's life, she's always worried or scared or uncertain. She's kind of a wet blanket in terms of this film. Again, I think that's script and direction. Paquin is talented, but I didn't enjoy much of her performance. Hayden Zaller was really good as Zack. He gave a great performance and clearly has talent. I loved seeing Dennis Quaid as Dick Vermeil. Vermeil is an incredible character and deserves a movie of his own. Quaid's performance hit the right notes, it's just that his role is so small. It amounts to a few conversations and a decent amount of smiling. Quaid is a real talent and I wish the movie spent more time exploring their relationship (as part of that increased focus on the NFL I mentioned). Chance Kelly was excellent as Mike Martz. I thought the Martz storyline here absolutely felt Hollywoodized, but man, it was one of the highlights of the film. Kelly's performance makes it all work. I was amazed at the impact he made on this film in such a small role. As I reflect on the movie, Kelly is certainly one of the main strengths. I suspect some of the facts were shifted for the purposes of the story, but they definitely make this more entertaining. I'll also always applaud seeing Bruce McGill here. I love McGill and it makes me happy to see him on screen. He was quite good in his supporting role.

I thought the structure of the movie worked well. There's lessons Warner has to learn in college, the bulk of the movie focuses on his family relationships, you see his emergence as a talent in Arena football (which was fun explaining to my son what it is), and then finally, he reaches his goal of playing in the NFL. It's an underdog story, an inspirational sports story, and those are always such fun to see.

I really liked American Underdog. I debated giving it a .5 higher rating and maybe it deserves it. I think a bit more focus on the NFL and a bit less saintly portrayal of Warner and it would have gotten there. That doesn't mean I disliked the movie at all. I had a lot of fun watching it with my son and it's inspiring enough that I wouldn't mind watching it again. This is a worthwhile movie looking at one of the most impressive stories in NFL history.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7



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